PELLA — Another big offensive game helped forward Claire Marburger (Perry) set the program record for points in a freshman season, but it wasn't enough to lead the Central College women's basketball team to a win, which fell 68-51 against Loras College Wednesday night.
Needing just 17 points to eclipse the record of 408 points set by Diane Shogren in 1978-79, Marburger moved her season total to 418 points with a 27-point outburst against the Duhawks.
"She's been consistent for us and has stepped up in a lot of ways," coach Chelsea Petersen said. "What's she's been able to do on the court as a freshman is phenomenal. Her teammates have put her in great positions to have that success."
Marburger led the way in the first half for the Dutch (4-20, 1-12 Iowa Conference) with 18 points. Petersen was happy with her team's effort in the first two frames.
"I thought we played a great first half of basketball," "Petersen said. "We valued the basketball and didn't have a lot of first-half turnovers. Claire was on fire with 18 points in the first half. Our players did a good job of recognizing the hot hand."
A defensive adjustment by Loras at the break stifled the Dutch offense early in the second half.
"They came out and applied a lot more defense pressure on Claire," Petersen said. "At that point in the game, somebody else needed to step up and I don't feel like that happened offensively."
The only other Dutch player in double figures was junior guard Savanna Thornton (Bedford), who scored a season-high 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 3-of-4 beyond the arc.
"That was a tremendous effort by Savanna," Petersen said. "She hit some big shots for us."
Playing 39 of 40 minutes, junior guard Jessica Helton (Nevada) contributed four steals and three assists. Forward Jackie Kriegel (sophomore, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) also had four steals.
Central wraps up the 2015-16 season with a road contest against the University of Dubuque on Saturday. Central beat the Spartans on January 13 by a 74-63 margin and will look to complete the sweep.
"We need to take away what they look for in transition," Petersen said. "We also need to contain their top two players who score quite a few points for them. Lastly, we need to contain dribble penetration and keep them off the free throw line."
